daan6憚惮
Jyutpingdaan6
Yaledaahn
Definition
To dread, fear, or dislike.
writtenemotion
How it's used
This term is primarily used in formal or literary contexts in modern Cantonese, often appearing in written materials or set phrases rather than casual speech. It carries a sense of psychological hesitation or avoidance due to fear or dislike. When used in spoken Cantonese, it is frequently replaced by more common verbs like 驚 or 怕.
Examples
Why do you dread him? Just say it directly.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with 彈, which means to bounce or criticize. Ensure you do not mix up the characters as they have completely different meanings.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- NegationHow to say no, not, didn't, and don't in Cantonese. The four main negation words and when to use each one.
- Numbers and moneyCounting, talking about money, and asking how much things cost. Includes the two words for two and the everyday words for dollars and cents.
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
